"Tiger's Curse"

This book is my newest obsession!!!  Ok … before I begin, I need to go back in history a bit.  A few years ago, I was on a “get-away-and-relax trip” and one of girls that was with us was reading this book.  She told me about it … I listened … and didn’t think too much more about it.  I guess the premise just didn’t grab a hold of me.  Then recently a different friend recommended it again.  This time I thought, “Let’s give it a try.  I have nothing else to read.”  Oh my gosh!  This book, this breathtaking, thrilling, romantic, and an utterly perfect book.  It swept me away in blissful awe.

I found myself completely trapped by the story, the setting, and the characters!  What could be better than a combination of India, mythical stories, an enchanted curse, and incredibly perfect young princes?  And the romance … I better not say too much except to say … it was gush worthy, butterflies in the stomach inducing, and breathtaking!  Everything was in place for the perfect read.

"Pandemonium"

Finally … FINALLY the sequel to “Delirium” is out and read!  “Pandemonium”  didn’t let me down.  It was fast paced and kept me on my toes.  When the end hit … I was like, “What!  It’s over?!!“  And THAT reaction was not a bad thing.

At first I didn’t know if I would like the writing style.  Each chapter went back and forth between the past and the present.  However, I think that helped the readers get lost in the story, always guessing and wondering what was going on.  It really made “The Wilds” feel real and distressing.  It also showed the growth Lena went through as you saw her before and then after.  The thing I liked best about Lena, is that even though her life was turned upside down, she stayed true to herself.

"Wings"

I really shouldn’t have read this book.  Firstly, I had just finished a series that I LOVED.  Secondly, I had passed by this book many times wondering if it would be something I liked.  I guess I should have gone with my gut instinct.

I think what kept pulling me back to it, was that Stephenie Meyer strongly endorsed it and put it on one of her “Must Read” lists.  I’m not saying I’m a Stephenie Meyer nut … I’m just thinking that an author who has been so successful tuning into the masses, might know what she is talking about.  So, against my better judgment, I decided to give it a try.  Wrong decision.

"The Star-Crossed"

Oh my gosh!  How do I start.  First off … I decided to clump all four books in the “Star-Crossed” series together because … well … I read them all in four days!  I think that alone sums up my thoughts on these books.  : )  All I can say is these books were incredible!

I’m a romance nut.  I love the sweet stories of love and adventure, but it’s so hard to find this genre of book not filled with inappropriate garbage.  Rachel Higginson does an amazing job creating a storyline where your heart tugs for the relationships penned, as well as, keeping some decorum in the descriptions.

"Delirium"

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect before I started reading Delirium.  I had passed by this book numerous times before deciding to give in and give it a try.  But after finishing it, I can say that this book is amazing.  I loved it!  The story is gripping, intense and very captivating.

Lauren Oliver writes about a very sad world in which love is considered a disease that will kill you.  I can’t even imagine a life without feeling love for my children … love for my spouse … love for my friends and family.  Love is where true happiness lies.  If our society came up with a cure that takes us past feelings … I personally couldn't think of anything scarier.

"Witch & Wizard"

I hate making these kind of reviews, but with that said … here it goes.  I think my main problem I had with this novel, was that I was expecting a lot from this book when I first picked it up.  It wasn't bad.  It just wasn't up to the expectations I had.

The premise was good.  The story itself was okay.  It just seemed a bit slow.  Nothing much really happened.  I could probably summarize the book in a few sentences.  Don’t get me wrong … the story wasn’t terrible … it actually kept me curiously interested and I kept reading until the end, just to find out how it would finish.

"Divergent"

"Divergent" was definitely a new riveting tale that had me rapidly flipping the pages in a reading frenzy!  I have to say, I had an absolute blast taking this wild ride ...  I enjoyed every minute of it!  It had me jumping out of my seat, biting my nails to the quick as I was drawn into Beatrice's world, cheering her on one minute, and wanting to cry with her the next.  I haven’t been drawn into a book like this since the “Hunger Games” first introduced me to this genre of novels.  The characters, setting, plot, pace and narrative where perfectly blended to produce a highly action packed read that I’m sure will captivate dystopia fans.  This is one book that I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone who loves action, bravery, a little romance, and a ton of adventure.  Be forewarned that it will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and eagerly anticipating a sequel!

Here’s a quick look at what  “Divergent” is all about:

"The Help"

With all the hype this book (and more recently, the movie) has received, I kind of feel that it doesn’t need another review.  However, to be fair to all the other books I have read recently, it has to be included in my list of “Books You Must Read”.

When this book very first hit the bookstores, my daughter bought it for me as a birthday present.  Being so new, I had not heard much of a buzz so I didn’t have any expectations.  Expectations or not … this novel is amazing!  It is one of those books that kept me up late into the night reading. If I was to simply say it was story about the life of black maids in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's, I would be doing it a disservice.  The author succeeds in showing that we are more alike than we realize. This book shows the triumph of the human spirit.  Thanks Kassie for giving me “The Help“.

Here’s a quick look at what  “The Help” is all about: